For Immediate Release:

  Animal Miracle Foundation Names Producer-Director Joe Camp Spokesperson for
First Annual National Horse Protection Day March 1, 2008

Seattle, WA - November 2, 2007 - The Animal Miracle Foundation (AMF) announced today that Joe Camp , animal advocate and author of The Soul of a Horse , will be a spokesperson for National Horse Protection Day.  
 
Camp, best known for his work as a film writer and director of the Benji films , has joined with AMF to raise awareness through public education about the abuse, neglect, homelessness and slaughter of horses in America and to promote adoption events around the nation.  
 
Camp encourages others to get involved. "I'm so delighted to be asked to participate in National Horse Protection day, a day that focuses on the plight of one of the most majestic creatures on earth. This is our opportunity to do something that will live within us and nourish us forever. To perhaps save a horse from slaughter, or help someone else who is saving one. To buy a bale of hay for a rescue operation, or help by volunteering to exercise a rescued horse."
 
The 1st Annual National Horse Protection Day Mane Event will be celebrated at the Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL) in Des Moines, Iowa, on March 1st, 2008. This event will not only celebrate and honor the contribution of horses in our country but will raise public awareness of the critical legislation and adoption needs of horses in the nation's shelters.
 
This family fun event will include country music entertainment, silent auction of horse-themed items, up to 140 horses for adoption, horse product vendors, special guests and celebrities, and a kids area with horse-themed crafts and games.   Food and beverages will also be provided.   There will also be speakers throughout the event on a variety of topics, such as hoof care, horse nutrition, and current horse legislation in Iowa. Joe Camp and his wife Kathleen will be attending the event as well. Their first adoption of a horse was from the ARLI, a young filly named Mouse (www.thesoulofahorse.com/Mouse.htm)

National Horse Protection Day serves to bring awareness to the number of abused and neglected horses that need forever homes and also to create public awareness about horse slaughter and encourage horse lovers to get involved and spread the word about the plight of horses in America.
 
This special day of tribute was founded by internationally renowned author and animal behaviorist, Colleen Paige.  Paige created the Animal Miracle Foundation as home to her lifesaving holidays which include National Cat Day, National Mutt Day, National Puppy Day and National Wildlife Day - among others.

During its first year, AMF was responsible for the shelter and assistance of over 1,000 animals during Hurricane Katrina. In 2007, AMF celebrated its 2nd Annual National Dog Day event in Malibu, California. On that day, across the nation, over 14,000 homeless dogs' lives were changed forever. A slideshow of the event can be viewed at (http://www.nationaldogday.com/2007.htm).   

Proceeds from the National Horse Protection Day event will go to benefit the Animal Miracle Foundation and the Animal Rescue League of Iowa to help save the lives of horses across the nation.  

The event is still in need of local and national sponsors. Horse lovers can visit (http://www.horseprotectionday.org/) to learn more about the holiday, including sponsorship information and regular updates to national press.

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The Animal Miracle Foundation is a private charitable foundation committed to saving animal lives through partnering with existing rescues, sanctuaries and shelters to facilitate adoptions and increase public awareness of animal welfare issues.

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa Inc. (ARL) is Iowa's largest nonprofit animal shelter, caring for many thousands of pets each year. The ARL serves people and pets from across the state of Iowa through its programs, which include pet adoption, humane education, pet behavior training, spay/neuter, animal cruelty intervention and much more.

Joe Camp is an author, director, and producer of all the Benji movies and television programs, including Benji Off the Leash, released in 2004. Camp has also written three published novels and several children's books. He has recently turned his attention and heart towards horses.  His book, The Soul of a Horse , will be published by Random House on April 29, 2008.   

Contact:
Runaas Resources PR
281-257-4431